Hillary Clinton urged the SRP and HRP to merge

Opposition SRP and HRP MPs' meeting with US Secretary of State at the US ambassador's residence in Phnom Penh (Photo: US Embassy in Cambodia)

Clinton: There’s strength in unity

Tuesday, 02 November 2010

By Meas Sokchea
Phnom Penh Post

The head of the Human Rights Party said United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had urged the party to merge with the Sam Rainsy Party during talks with opposition leaders this week.

Clinton met the opposition for about 40 minutes on Monday.

SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said afterwards that she had encouraged opposition parties to form a comprehensive political platform with which to compete against the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

HRP President Kem Sokha, however, said she had gone one step further with her recommendations, telling them to join forces.

“Based on her experience, she said that to beat the ruling party the opposition parties should unite,” Kem Sokha said, later clarifying that she meant they should merge.

“Mrs Hillary Clinton said she does not know why both parties cannot unite.”

Asked about the substance of the meeting, a US embassy spokesman said only that Clinton “appreciated the opportunity to meet with leaders of the political opposition in Cambodia and hear their perspectives on the political situation in Cambodia”.

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